Clinton seen as vulnerable to Sanders in early-voting states

Polls show tight race in NH, Iowa

With a large Republican field and the bullhorn candidacy of Donald Trump, much of the media focus in the presidential primary has been on the GOP, but a dogfight is shaping up in the race for the Democratic nomination.

With a large Republican field and the bullhorn candidacy of Donald Trump, much of the media focus in the presidential primary has been on the GOP, but a dogfight is shaping up in the race for the Democratic nomination.

Since the beginning of the campaign, Republican candidates have invoked the name of Hillary Clinton when making their case. But recent polls show Bernie Sanders leading in New Hampshire and rising in Iowa.

"It's still really tough for me to see a situation where Bernie Sanders is the nominee for a variety of reasons., but we could be looking at a very long slog if she loses Iowa and New Hampshire," St. Anselm College political science professor Chris Galdieri said.

Galdieri said Clinton faces some pitfalls as the primary approaches.

"I think the worst-case scenario for her would be something like what happened in 2008, where early losses led a lot of people to take a step back, take a second look and maybe start embracing Sanders," Galdieri said.

Still, Clinton's television ads have shown her focused on potential Republican opponents, rather than Sanders.

Sanders is in New Hampshire for a pair of events Thursday night in Hanover, while Clinton has had a couple of high-profile surrogates -- former President Bill Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea Clinton -- stumping in the Granite State on her behalf this week.